Thermo Fisher partners with Canada-based firm for high-speed LDTD technology

Thermo Fisher has partnered with Phytronix Technologies for the use of Laser Diode Thermal Desorption (LDTD) technology.

According to Thermo Fisher, LDTD technology enhances the existing Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum LC/MS product portfolio by offering "ultra-fast sample analysis" for both quantitative and qualitative applications in high-throughput drug discovery, drug development, food safety and environmental applications.

"This unique technology, consisting of a semi-conductor based laser diode, allows scientists to rapidly analyse compounds," explained a spokesperson for the world leader in serving science.

"The workflow is enhanced by simply loading the Phytronix Lazwell 96-well plate with the sample, and inserting the plate into the LDTD ion source operating at atmospheric pressure," the representative added, pointing out that LDTD technology increases the speed of compound analysis by 20 to 100 times, compared to established techniques based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.

It is believed that pharmacokinetic studies using LDTD technology can be performed in under ten minutes and enzyme inhibition assays in 18 minutes – compared to the ten hours currently required with LC-MS techniques.

Thermo Scientific employs around 30,000 people and serves over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs.